From tbrown at michiana.org Wed Apr 9 08:03:54 2008 From: tbrown at michiana.org (Tom Brown) Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:03:54 -0500 Subject: [GreenNotes] GreenNotes - 4/9/2008 Message-ID: <47FCDADA.7050803@michiana.org> Please circulate widely. Contact us to include your announcement in GreenNotes. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PROGRESSIVE CALENDAR * Apr 09 - Town Hall on Obama speech on race relations * Apr 09 - Barack Obama speaks at Washington High School * Apr 10 - Save Darfur Campaign * Apr 12 - Green Michiana Recycling Fair * Apr 13 - Portage Avenue salon * Apr 14 - St. Joe Valley Greens meeting * Apr 18 - Next Step in Math and Science Education * Apr 18 - Jobs With Justice educational forum * Apr 20 - Progressive Town Hall * Apr 21 - Sustainable Michiana study group * Apr 22 - Bridging the Gap: Reaching Pay Equity in Indiana * Apr 26 - 3rd Annual Community Forum on Economic Development * Apr 28 - Earth Day Ongoing Events: * YouTube video - GreenTV South Bend's commemoration of the US's 5th year at "war." http://youtube.com/watch?v=L5tD-6ZJmSg * MPJC peace vigil Mondays, 5-6 p.m. Jefferson and Main St. South Bend 574-289-2126 or http://www.michianapeacejustice.org. * South Bend Equality Meeting (gender equality, human rights amendment) 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, 7pm Unitarian Church on Northshore Blvd in South Bend :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: TOWN HALL ON BARACK OBAMA'S SPEECH ON RACE RELATIONS Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 7:00 p.m. McKenna Hall Auditorium, University of Notre Dame Please join in a town hall discussion on the recent Barack Obama speech on race relations in the United States. The panelists, including Monica Tetzlaff, Director of the IU South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center, will discuss the historical trajectory of race and its implications on "creating a perfect union" in America. How far have we come on race relations? Where are we going? Can we create a racially united America? We encourage you to come to this town hall meeting to voice your opinions and concerns on the issue. Free and Open to the Public Moderated by: Richard Pierce, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Africana Studies John Cardinal O'Hara, CSC Associate Professor, Department of History University of Notre Dame Sponsored by the Department of Africana Studies, Notre Dame Africana Studies Club, the University of Notre Dame, and the Indiana University of South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center. http://africana.nd.edu/townhallmeeting.shtml :: BARACK OBAMA SPEAKS AT WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL Presidential candidate Barack Obama is scheduled to speak at 10 pm this evening, April 9, at Washington High School. The South Bend Community School Corporation once again deprives its own students of an opportunity to participate in an historic political event by slotting the appearance at 10 pm. Has anyone recently tested the water at the SBCSC administration building? :: SAVE DARFUR CAMPAIGN Save Darfur Campaign: April 10th 6pm-9pm in room 1001 of Wiekamp Hall Indiana University South Bend. Featured will be the documentary "Darfur Now." This call to action to help end the crisis of genocide in Sudan's western region of Darfur uses the struggles and achievements of six very different people to bring attention to the situation. Included in this group are a UCLA graduate in L.A., a Darfurian woman who joins rebel forces, a UN humanitarian in Sudan, and actor and activist Don Cheadle. We will also have a guest speaker and African drumming group. Refreshments will be available for a donation to the Save Darfur campaign and a free will donation will be also be accepted. This program is sponsored by the Political Science Club, American Democracy Project, Environmental Justice League, Sustainable Communities Committee, and International Programs at Indiana University South Bend. For more information, please contact Robin Beck at beck_robin at att.net. :: GREEN MICHIANA RECYCLING FAIR A Sustainability Fair: Home, Garden and Road Saturday, April 12, 10 am - 4 pm, Grille, Administration Building Learn about innovative local businesses, find local resources for increasing the energy efficiency of your home, green decorating tips, gardening, and transportation. Try out the commuter bicycles, electric cars, and enjoy the live music. Bring your bags and styrofoam. Find out how to recycle or safely dispose of TVs, batteries, paint, and more. Materials accepted for recycling (Drop off at Administration Building cafeteria) * Styrofoam packing peanuts: collected April 8 - 12 * White expanded polystyrene (e.g. white Styrofoam coolers, and Styrofoam used to package electronic equipment and other products, expanded polystyrene #6; styrofoam plates and cups CANNOT be accepted): collected April 8 - 12 * Plastic Grocery bags (must be clean): collected April 8 - 12 * Personal home computers will be collected by Free Geek Michiana on Saturday. $15 charge for all monitors. This event is free and open to the public. * Musical line-up for Green Michiana Fair http://ifweonlyconnect.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/green-michiana-a-sustainability-fair-for-home-garden-and-road/ * Free Geek Michiana http://www.freegeekmichiana.org/ :: PORTAGE AVENUE SALON Dear Friends: Please come join us this Sunday for a couple hours of friendly conversation, good food, & a sense of community here at the Portage Ave. Salon (611 Portage Ave.) from 7-9 pm. Please BYO beverage, optional veggie-friendly dish to share, & friends. Yours, Lily & Karl :: ST. JOE VALLEY GREENS MONTHLY MEETING The Greens' next meeting is Monday, April 14, 7:00 pm at IUSB in Weikamp Hall, Rm 2187 in the Poli Sci Dept. We will prepare for the upcoming national Green Party Presidential nominating convention, discuss political opportunities for Greens in the local 2008 general elections and hear reports on non-partisan movement building projects members are engaged in. Please join us. :: NEXT STEP IN MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION: OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE Friday, April 18, 7:45 - 1:45, IU South Bend - The Grill, Administration Building This event is sponsored by Indiana University South Bend, Ivy Tech Community College, Memorial Health Foundation, NISMEC, University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College, and Sixma Xi, The Scientific Research Society. Dr. Carlos Castillo-Chavez is the keynote speaker for the event and breakout sessions will include topics such as The Needs of Business and Industry in a Changing Job Market, Strategies for Change Agents, and Technology in the Hood. This event is intended for parents, elected officials, community and business leaders as well as for educators. There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided. To register for the conference or for more information, call 574-520-5524. :: JOBS WITH JUSTICE EDUCATIONAL FORUM Friends of Labor and Workers Come to our educational forum on Friday April 18 at the United Steel Workers hall located at 125 S.Hill Street in Mishawaka. The meeting will start at 6PM eastern time. Speakers: * Joe Carbone Vice President AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and CWA Congressional District Coordinator will cover the Working Families Agenda, and where do the presidential candidates stand on our agenda? * Dawn Chapla the Labor Liaison for the AFL-CIO will lead a discussion on Health Care. She will discuss the community affects of the changes to state rules on Medicare, and what we can do about it. * Congressman Joe Donnelly's field representative, Peter Gehred * Audience questions and answers For further information call 574-292-8137 or RSVP at josephcarbone at Yahoo.com We will be providing food and beverages for the attendees. So if you can respond this would help with estimating the amount of food required. If you can't come I would be willing to provide this educational material to your organization. For further information contact me at 574-292-8137 or e-mail me at josephcarbone at Yahoo.com. In solidarity Joe Carbone CWA4900. :: PROGRESSIVE TOWN HALL Sunday, April 20, 4 pm to 6 pm Fiddlers Hearth, downtown South Bend What, as citizens, can we do to improve our areas education system? We pay taxes, some of have kids in school, yet we feel at a loss when high dropout rates, gun violence, and overuse of busing take over our lives. Come to the Progressive Town Hall to discuss this issue with area leaders and educators. This is your opportunity to ask the questions you've always wanted to ask and get answers. If you have any suggestions as to speakers or questions you would like addressed, please email me. As usual, I will invite the "people in charge," in this case, the superintendents and board members of our area schools. Robin Beck beck_robin at att.net :: SUSTAINABLE MICHIANA The next meeting will be held on Monday April 21st from 7-8:15 p.m. at the Jordan International Center at IUSB. We are studying "The Natural Step Story" and exploring how local citizens can apply the successful "TNS" approach towards sustainability in our community. The current assignment for attendees is to examine our homes and lifestyles and to identify those practices that are sustainable and those that are not. The eventual goal is to search for alternatives to unsustainable practices and provide a community resource for these sustainable alternatives in food, transportation, building, etc. :: BRIDGING THE GAP: REACHING PAY EQUITY IN INDIANA Tuesday, April 22, 1 - 5 PM, Saint Mary's College - Madeleva Hall, Carroll Auditorium This event is sponsored by the Indiana Commission for Women, the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau, Saint Mary's College and many local organizations, including the Community Forum for Economic Development. Interactive breakout sessions will focus on: * Best Practices: How Businesses Can Help Women Bridge the Gap * Women in Poverty: What Our Communities Must Do * Opening the Doors: Education as a Pathway to Non-Traditional And Higher Paying Jobs * Listening to Our Future: A Dialogue with Younger Women * A Closer Look at Pay Inequity: Why Diversity Matters. Registration is free. Sign up at http://payequity.eventbrite.com. Call 574-284-4061 for more information. :: 3RD ANNUAL COMMUNITY FORUM ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT We are beginning to receive reservations for the Third Annual Forum on Economic Development, to be held on Saturday, April 26, from 9 - 4 at Indiana University South Bend, Weikamp Hall, 1001. Pre-registration is requested so that we can determine the materials and lunches needed for participants. To register by email, contact sjc.cfed at gmail.com. Phone messages can be left at the SJVP phone, 574-287-3834. "Uniting to Improve Our Quality of Life" is the theme of the third annual Community Forum on Economic Development in St. Joseph County. Presentations and workshops will provide opportunities for community members to share information and experiences in the context of our overall goal, the improvement of economic opportunities for all area residents. Morning presentations will be given by State Representative Ryan Dvorak and University of Notre Dame economist Marty Wolfson. Afternoon workshops will focus on topics central to local economic development and provide an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop proposals for change. Breakout Session Topics 1. Transparency in local government: the key to effective democracy 2. Blue-Green Jobs: creating good jobs with new technologies 3. Cool Cities: environmental initiatives in urban areas 4. Tax Abatements and TIFS: what are they and how do they work for us? 5. Transforming neighborhoods: building on our strengths 6. The poor need not always be with you: poverty solutions 7. Minority business development/ employment issues 2008 Forum Co-Sponsors - Interim List, as of 3/19/08 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Eta Mu Omega Chapter American Association of Retired Persons American Democracy Project, IU South Bend Bethel Business Machines Inc. Bridges Out of Poverty Initiative CAP (Community Action Partners) Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana Hispanic Leadership Coalition Howard Park Neighborhood Association IBEW Local 153 Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area League of Latin American Citizens Lincoln Way West Gateway Association Masters in Liberal Studies Program, IU South Bend Michiana Community Currency Michiana Group of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter Michiana Quality of Life Michiana Social Forum Minority Health Coalition, St. Joseph County Neighborhood Resources Corporation North Central Indiana Central Labor Council, AFL CIO Office of Campus Diversity, IU South Bend Project Impact - South Bend Inc. REIA (Real Estate Investors Association) South Bend NAACP St. Joe Valley Greens St. Joseph Valley Building and Construction Trades Council St. Joseph Valley Project Summers Group, LLC Teamsters Local 364 United Religious Community West Side Market :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: KEY VALUES OF THE GREENS 1. Ecological wisdom 2. Social justice 3. Grassroots democracy 4. Nonviolence 5. Decentralization 6. Community-based economics 7. Feminism 8. Respect for diversity 9. Personal and global responsibility 10. Future focus ---------------------------------------- St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN http://www.sjvgreens.org/ mailto: tbrown at sjvgreens.org or khardy at sjvgreens.org